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I see ... A Bad Moon A-Risin' Intro
Spoiler:
A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked. 28 friend-o WJA [Howl]
I see ... A Bad Moon A-Risin' Intro
Spoiler:
A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked. 28 friend-o WJA
The ghastly howl has taken its supernatural toll, causing the party to suddenly feel very scared.
I see ... A Bad Moon A-Risin' Intro 28 friend-o WJA
** spoiler omitted ** The the wavery figures resolve into man-sized figures. They are large, and have jackal-features although they walk as men. Manhayth calls out "Ware their bites!"
Coyote strolls off into the streets of the Big Easy. What a stupid nickname. Nothing easy about this town. It rankled his nerves. Too many loud thoughts here. People with a scrap of mental power drawn to the place and transmitting just enough to bypass Coyotes passive mental defenses. It was like listening to a wildly spinning AM radio dial tuned to the craziest talk show circuit imaginable ….And then I’ll get mine when I gut that azzhole… …KILL KILL KILLL KILLLLLLLLL… …Mmmm so sweet I want that sweet thing… …commie cucks perverts run this abominable city need to purge … Coyote felt a headache coming on. He might need to medicate to build his mental walls a bit higher
The group, minus Coyote , piles into the Suburban and heads out onto the New Orleans streets. The city isn’t at its peak season, but it is still a crowded place. There is a strong energy that can be sensed in the air, and the group is very sensitive to it. The Veil is rubbed thin here, just as it was in Halifax. Maybe it’s a geographical thing, maybe a spiritual, maybe a historical. Whatever it was, the spirit world was close.
The leader raises his half human-half jackal head and unleashes a horrifying howl. Everyone who hears it shudders in horror
There are four figures advancing towards the party. They break into a sprint. They a walking two legged, but they sport bestial features. One at the forefront is larger than the others. Manhayth grimaces “That’s Kharzhaad. This will not be an easy fight. He is one of the worst pack leaders”
I see ... A Bad Moon A-Risin' Intro 28 friend-o WJA
DM Bidness:
The the wavery figures resolve into man-sized figures. They are large, and have jackal-features although they walk as men. Manhayth calls out "Ware their bites!"
The door at the end of the hallway is silent. The door on the eastern side, Taishe hears a movement within
I see ... A Bad Moon A-Risin' Intro
DM Bidness:
The circling vultures spiral lower. They are BIG birds.A few figures resolve out of the heat waves from the way they came.
Manhayth grimaces “The weres sometimes train vultures as pets. They are good to keep flyers occupied “ He glances over at Justin’s toes drifting a few inches off the ground “Word to the wise”
Manhayth guides them slowly into position. The area they traverse is scattered with dried salt pans, fissured from long dryness. Small rock pillars dot the area, like petrified fingers of an immense giant. He whispers “They might have friends in the sky. Don’t stare” DC 12 perception : The shapes of circling vultures can be discerned though the heat haze
DM bidness:
Justin squints and looks about the bright landscape, but nothing seems to catch his eye. Manhayth says in a low voice “Werejackals I think. They are following in a pack formation. They’ll likely try to cut out the weakest looking members, it’s their instinct.” He casts a glance at Seph trudging along with Merle, fur looking damp and bedraggled. “More than like they’ll take Merle and Seph as a mother-child pair and go after them. Hoping to slow them and rout you or get them to bolt for safety. If their human halves are more in control they might just be looking for loot. It’s hard to tell with weres.”
The black Chevy Suburban they picked up at the airport awaits their pleasure
The hallway is devoid of traps. The doors as well
Manhayth pulls up suddenly about mid-afternoon, a fist raised to indicate halting “We’re being followed “ he says in a low voice “be ready”
Dawn comes quickly, although it is a mercy the light doesn’t come from a hot sun overhead. Despite that, the heat still rises quickly to Prime desert levels. They begin their walk to Bal-Tiref. They assume they have crossed into Amun-Thys, as the desert is subtly different, more alive with various forms of life. Manhayth passes his canteen about “It’s glammered to refill whatever’s drunk, so don’t be shy. This will be a thirsty walk” For most of the day they follow a slight track through the sand dunes. It winds through stone canyons and the dry riverbeds that Manhayth names ‘wadis’.
Jakun will open the door boldly! A hallway lies beyond the door. it runs northwards and terminates in two doors at a crooked terminus. Ine door faces east, the other, south
Narl notices that this undead shows signs of necromantic strength. It is exactly why he had traveled to Opal and Mazatil in the first place. The tales of empowered undead, of ..SPONTANEOUSLY CREATED undead had fascinated him. The things flesh might be crawling with larvae, but it has a ...solidity.. that Narl rarely saw in animated corpses
The door is unlocked and untrapped
The is one door in the room. It is a standard oiled teakwood number
Narl's blow cracks the zombie's skull open. It collapses into a noisome pile of rotted flesh.
Anubis seems to hesitate for a moment, then he shakes his massive head. SIGNS. PORTENTS. WYRD. EVEN A GOD MAY ONLY ADJUST SO MUCH. He looks over at Alessia FARE THEE WELL, ALESSIA OF KEOLAND. THY FATE CALLS, AND I SHALL BRING THEE BACK TO THY COMPANIONS. Suddenly Alessia is standing on a desert dune. That sourceless light planar locations seem to have is just lightening the sky. She can see in the distance a small thin line of smoke from a fire. It seems to be coming from a distant ruin. Alessia suddenly feels the weight of her armor tight on her body. Her body. After the few moments as a human again, this body feels dry and stiff, a... dead ... thing. She feels very odd. She suddenly recalls the feeling. Grief. She wanted to cry, but her eyes were pits of dust and shadows
Manhayth looks around and sees Justin on the ground. He sees the others looking like they just speed portaled through a dozen Hellgates, and he pauses “I think we need to rest. Yon wizard is out, and I’ll need some time to scout. Our gear was on the camels, but there’s an old ruin over there that looks like it still has some roof” He brings the party over to an ancient temple that is half buried in sand. Nothing lies within, so they make themselves as comfortable as they can and rest. Manhayth returns from scouting a few hours later “I’ve got the road. We’re probably a days journey out, so let’s rest and push on in the morning “ The group posts guards and rest. The sourceless sun dims and desert night descends. They all sleep peacefully. In the morning…
The slim black phones they had been given chirp. A text has dropped into a group chat Greetings Team New Orleans. Enclosed is Madame Estelle Verdereau’s address. Please attempt to contact her in regards to the Book of Faiyum. Use your discretion. Remember she is rather paranoid and skittish -S
In your head .. In your heaaaaad .. Zombie! Rd 1 Jakun: 19 Hit!
Nahuatl’s spear just misses her target
Manhayth stretches and winces a bit. “You wanted to go to Bal-Tiref, in Amun-Thys yes? I’ll need a few to figure out where we are, but we should be able to get there shortly “ Flashback:
.
Anubis inclines his muzzle. He still seems a normal size, but Alessia has the oddest feeling that he is much larger than he appears, even as he presents at a relatively normal height of 2 1/2 meters. WELL SAID. THOU SHALT HAVE THY WISH, ALESSIA OF KEOLAND. THY KA REMAINS UNSULLIED, EVEN AFTER SO MANY YEARS AS A REVENANT. THAT IN ITSELF IS AN ACT OF MORAL FORTITUDE. I IMAGINE MY SCALES WOULD JUDGE THEE WELL, SHOULD THY KA BE LAID UPON THEM. HOWEVER, THERE ARE OTHER FORCES AT PLAY, AND IT IS NOT MY PLACE TO JUDGE THEE OR RELEASE THEE FROM THY WYRD. BUT, I CAN CERTAINLY ASSIST BOTH THEE AND THE ONES THOU TRAVEL WITH. A shining mote of light appears in Anubis’ hand. It floats over to Alessia, resolving itself into a small canopic jar. THY COMPANIONS TRAVEL TO BAL-TIREF TO TREAT WITH MY MOTHER. I CAN GIVE YOU THIS FOR HER. GIVE IT TO HER REPRESENTATIVE IN BAL-TIREF, AND IT SHOULD MAKE THY REQUEST MORE LIKELY TO SUCCEED. SHE IS USUALLY DISTANT, BUT THIS GIFT SHOULD MAKE HER HAPPY AND MORE AMENABLE TO REQUESTS. Anubis looks at Alessia. His eyes are compassionate, if alien I SHALL RETURN THEE TO THY FRIENDS. IT IS BEST THOU CONTINUE THY PATH. GREAT THINGS AWAIT
The stress of the moment and a falling bit of roof near him almost made Justin flub up the spell, but he keeps his equilibrium and pulls it off. Blayze had come down the stairs a scant few moments prior, shaking her head and muttering something about a stun spell. She joins in and you all arrive at the base of the tower. As you arrive, you see your guide, Manhayth, emerging up on the balcony. He waves and Justin zips up and snags him “Thank the forgotten gods you got out! I had to run when the chamber began to collapse! “ Outside the tower, things are little better. The small town that surrounded the tower is shaking apart. The jackal-headed golems that guard the place now stagger about, lashing out at random and stomping on the terrified townsfolk. The sun is doing that stuttering thing again, blinking on and off like a man hooding a lamp. Which is all the more terrifying because the place becomes pitch black without the sun. The party begins a grueling run towards the distant pyramid they came from. What was several hours walk they mange to cover much more quickly with fear at their backs and without incident. Running up the pyramids they note that all that is left of that horrid guardian they fought is a slightly rancid smell in the air. The control room is lit with an eerie light and they see what looks to be a portal forming near it, a voice speaks in several of the major planar tongues, enough so that at least one person understands the saying PLANAR VORTEX STRUCTURE FIELD UNSTABLE. THREAT OF INSTABILITY AND IMMINENT COLLAPSE. EVACUATE THROUGH THE EMERGENCY GATE. PLANAR VORTEX STRUCTURE….. The message repeats, and Justin sees a magic mouth on the control structure that seems to be repeating the words. Faced with no good options, the party decamps. A sickening lurch later, and they land in the sands of Pelion. They aren’t sure where, but it isn’t near Ranerius’ tomb. As they dust themselves off, several townsfolk drop out of nothingness to land in the sand. When they see the party they shriek and run away.
The group checks in, gets their room cards, and settles in. It is a fantastic hotel, and combines the old with the new. Jonathan's name seems to work magic, and they are treated like royaly
The room is quickly becoming untenable
The rubble is falling fast and furious now, and no sign of Alessia.
In your head .. In your heaaaaad .. Zombie! Rd 1 Jakun: 19 Hit!
The zombie lurches about, looking rather ragged DM stuff:
13/42/36/67
Tragon's blade slices deep into the horrid thing, a spurt of rancid fluid spatters out of the thing, alive with larvae.
The wizened heart slowly levitates over to the scales. The elderly man struggles in vain against his invisible captors. The heart touches the scales. There is a sudden *CLANG* that echoes through the crystal chamber. The heart has tipped the scales so suddenly that the scale pan has hit the ground. The large iridescent white feather has launched into the air and now floats gently back down to its pan. Anubis looks at the scale and then back at Ranerius I BELIEVE THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT, APOSTATE. THY KA IS WEIGHTY INDEED. I HAVE RARELY SEEN ONE SO LARDED WITH EVIL. TIME FOR THEE TO JOIN THE ETERNAL NOTHING OF THE SILVER REALM. Ranerius struggles even more, but to no avail. He begins to scream, a high quavery sound as his heart once again rises into the air. The monstrous creature below the chamber stirs, grumbling. The sound is like thunder on a stormy day. The heart suddenly drops through the crystal as if it didn’t exist. The creature opens its mouth and the morsel disappears down its massive gullet. Ranerius gives a final scream, then he … fades.. his body becomes transparent and then finally there is no sign he ever existed. Anubis sighs and then turns to Alessia. ALESSIA OF KEOLAND. THOU HAST AIDED ME IN MY LONG ATTEMPT TO BRING YON VILLAIN TO JUDGMENT. ALTHOUGH THOU DELAY THINE OWN JUDGMENT, I WELL SEE ‘TWAS NOT OF THY CHOOSING. I WILL NOT DISTURB THE SKEINS OF FATE OTHERS HAVE WOVEN. I DO OWE THEE A BOON. SO ASK IT
Time to go
"Huh, that wasn't so bad," Karrin says plucking out the one arrow that hit her, "I thought that would be way more deadly."
The arrow, though painful, doesn't slow the spunky tiefling down much However, the falling roof debris might
The elderly man is brought before Anubis. As he ascends the dais, struggling against his invisible captors, Anubis seems to shrink. Not in any showy fashion, just as if a trick of perspective had him look big. Now he is merely tall for a human. He walks gracefully towards Ranerius and stretches out his hand. The ancient man’s chest … ripples. There’s no other way to describe it, as if his flesh was water in a pond. A wizened heart emerges, hovering between the two figures. It pulses weakly, looking vaguely sickly. Ranerius cries out again “I am sworn to the Sleeper in N’Kai, Lord of the Voormis! You have no claim on my Ka! I have placed it beyond your grasp!” Anubis chuckles, a sound akin to a basso hyena yip APOSTATE. THY PATRON HATH FORSAKEN THEE. HE WAS OFFENDED AT THY
The jackal-headed ebon giant, who Alessia must assume is truly Anubis, Guardian of the Dead, swivels his muzzle towards the elderly figure… Ranerius? This is the dire mummy lord? THY HAND IS STAYED IN THIS HALLOWED PLACE, VILLAN. STEP FORWARD AND RECEIVE THY LONG OVERDUE JUDGMENT Ranerius screeches in a quavery old man voice as invisible creatures seem to grab hold of him and manhandle him to the dais. “NO! NO! Lord Tsathoggua! Aid thy servant!”
There is a sudden yell of ..”Fnck THIS noise!” And the sound of clattering bones rapidly fading into the distance. It seems the guardians had independent agency and a survival urge …
Justin feels the paralysis fade and he suddenly feels a stab of horror as a large chunk of wall comes crashing down nearby
Sniper shots rd 3 Snipers: 28 [Principal Skinner]Pathetic[/Principal Skinner]
Hamar disappears into the swirling mists. Merle shoots off some more magical bolts. Justin twitches as arcane arrows come whizzing by his petrified corpus. Then the explosion occurs. There is a shocked silence for just a moment then all Avernus breaks loose. There is a groaning sound, like the ground under their feet took a mortal wound. A giant crack splits open the beautiful tiles of the floor. Grave goods tumble into the newly opened abyss. Bits of stone begin to fall from the ceiling, and the party suddenly becomes aware that they walked down a LOT of stairs to get to this place
Alessia tumbles for some unknown quantity of time - if there is such a thing in this place - but then she sees shapes begin to appear out of the silvery mists. Giant islands of crumbling rock - entire archipelagos of them -come into view, each one a massive eroded statue of someone or … something. They flash past, and Alessia realizes she must be traveling at quite a fast clip. The asteroid statues for the most part are barren crumbling stone, but a few seem to have a biosphere! Trees, shrubs, grass grow on certain ones. Others are crowded with warrens of asymmetric buildings- sticking out of the island in all directions like fan fungus on a fallen tree. Suddenly, Alessia sees a large swirling pool of blackness dead ahead. She is unable to change her trajectory and tumbles straight into it! Alessia loses awareness for a moment. When she regains her senses she lies on a floor of flawless transparent crystal. Below is a monster. It looks up at Alessia with a crocodile smile. It is enormous, easily 100 feet long. A head of a crocodile, paws and ruff of a lion and the greenish thickness of a hippopotamus at the back. Fortunately, there seems to be a transparent floor between Alessia and it. On her level, there is a raised dais with a large set of scales. An iridescent feather lies in one scale. Seated on a large throne-like chair is a giant. Human looking, skin coal black , but his head is a stylized jackal. This entity gazes at Alessia and nods briefly. A screeching suddenly breaks the silence of the chamber “No! I do not belong here, Anubis! You have forfeited your right to judge me! I have forsaken the worship of the Gods of Khem long ago! Release me!” Alessia sees a man standing by Anubis. He looks like he comes from a desert people,but his raiment and demeanor speak of a soft life. he is very old as well. He shakes a bony fist at the jackal headed entity. The entity leans forward and speaks. His voice is like a deep bell tolling RANERIUS. THOU ART APOSTATE, ‘TIS TRUE. BUT THOU SHALT BE JUDGED. HERE. The old man notices Alessia “And you, girl! If I could do violence now I would wring that neck of yours clean off! You ruined everything!” Alessia is nonplussed. It’s been a while since anyone just casually offered violence to her like that. Or called her ‘girl’. She suddenly has a sinking sensation. She brings her arms up. They are human arms. Clad in the sort of clothes she’d wear back when she was ready to don armor, but yet not sealed into it like a metal coffin .
Alessia finds herself tumbling through a silvery nothingness. Strangely, it’s an oddly familiar silvery nothingness dim lights wink at odd distances, like strange stars through a fog. Suddenly the strange place is recalled to her. The trip on the wagons. The strange forge. The long caravan voyage to discover the Name. This was the Astral Plane. She had been blown into the plane of nowhere in particular
Alessia directs her fury at the red heart it looks fragile. . It IS fragile, the heart shatters in a thousand glittering pieces, the framework it sat in twisting into a hunk of useless metal. There is a blinding flask of light and an unearthly screech. A spectral form can be seen by the party rising above the sarcophagus, built of twisted purple energy. It howls ”NO! NOOOOOO! MORTAL FOOLS! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!” Another flash of light, and and explosion, and the circle is empty. The sarcophagus, the items, and Alessia …. Are gone
Sniper shots rd 3 Snipers: 28
There is a *SNAP* snound and a whiff of ozone as the forcefield falls. The snipers keep plinking
The wavering blue force field is no match for the combined forces of Alessia and Karrin. With their last two attacks it drops, leaving the strange relics and the sarcophagus seemingly unprotected!
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